Franco’s Dictatorship in Spain
1. The Consolidation of Franco’s Dictatorship
Franco’s regime was not a transient military dictatorship. His intention was to banish any notion of liberalism, liberal democracy, and communism. The new regime concentrated all powers in the figure of the Head of State, General Franco.
A model of a single-party dictatorship was organized. The dismantling of all democratic institutions was evident. The dictatorship tried to project an image of legality with the enactment of a series of fundamental laws. By January 1938, the real work of building and institutionalizing the regime began.
The political structure and doctrine were called the Movimiento Nacional. The regime appointed procurators, who were called the organic power. The independent justice system that existed in the democracy disappeared. Power was transmitted to the institution of civil governors. The old military structure of harbor generals was restored.
Another power was the Trade Union Organization. It had three branches: civil, military, and ecclesiastical. The diverse influences that shaped the scheme were based on several families. The Falange was losing power, and its primitive ideals were gradually becoming blind loyalty to the Caudillo. The army was always the backbone of the system.
There were attempts to control all Spanish social and ideological options. There was a return to the field of population. The youth organization was the Frente de Juventudes. The female branch of the Movement was the Women’s Section of the Falange Española Tradicionalista y de las JONS. The regime introduced compulsory classes in the teaching of National Spirit Training. Strict social control was imposed, accompanied by strong ideological repression and rigid censorship. The Female Section sought to promote this ideology.
2. The System and International Politics
As the world rushed towards World War II, Spain declared neutrality. Franco maintained interviews with the two great dictators (Hitler and Mussolini). In 1941, Spain’s status changed from a non-belligerent country to a belligerent one. A division of volunteers to fight alongside German troops was known as the Blue Division.
Franco increased his monarchical restoration policy and issued a manifesto. He was isolated from Lausanne. The UN recommended that its members withdraw their ambassadors from Spain. The boycott strengthened Spain’s political and economic isolation.
3. Autarky, Misery, and Rationing
Franco’s primary economic objective was self-sufficiency (autarky). He had two main goals: the regulation of imports and exports, and the promotion of industries. He founded the National Institute of Industry (INI).
The economic recovery applied the ideas of the victors and gave the state an interventionist role. The state directly controlled the market. Price regulation favored the emergence of a black market, where transactions were made outside the law. The autarkic policy, enforced by international isolation, generated all kinds of scarcity.
4. The Opposition in Exile, Repression, and Resistance
The political repression of the enemy continued after the war. Over two hundred thousand Republicans were imprisoned, and another four hundred thousand sought exile due to political pressures. They were committed to the Republic. Spanish emigration to Latin America is one of the most remarkable episodes of the postwar period. The emigration to Mexico produced a great impact in that country. An important colony of Spanish emigrants was also established in France.
Franco always had repression and destruction as a principle, seeking to cancel any opposition. The regime established a kind of legal legislation intended to exert total control and legitimize the victory of the Movimiento Nacional. Military trials were established alongside civil trials. Spanish prisons were full. In 1963, the Court of Public Order was created.
There was opposition to the regime, including guerrilla groups (resistance fighters). The political opposition was unstructured.
5. The First Attempts at Opening (1951-1956)
A certain reorientation of political and economic arrangements began to take shape, and inequality in the distribution of income increased. Between 1945 and 1947, there was an initial burst of conflict. The shortage of foreign currency prevented the import of raw materials. The official exchange rate fell during the second half of the 1940s. The United States altered its position on the Franco regime.
In 1950, Spain was admitted to international agencies, ending its isolation. A new Concordat was signed with the Holy See, and military treaties were signed with the United States. The Franco government decided to carry out a remodeling in 1951, introducing Luis Carrero Blanco. The regime sought to obtain international approval.
In 1957, with further remodeling, Opus Dei technocrats entered the government.